Kick off Bliss-mas Day 1: Target Your Tension with a Criss-Cross Massage add-on
- nina
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
"On the first day of Bliss-mas, my Massage Therapist gave to me..."
Did those painful trigger points disappear this month? Have your knots and tight spots gone away on their on? During the holidays ... not likely! Holiday stress might be making them worse!
That’s why I'm kicking off Day 1 of Aggies Massage & Cupping's "The 12 Days of Bliss-mas" with a complimentary 20-minute add-on of a 4-therapy Criss-Cross massage mashup. I'll spend extra time focusing on your toughest tension using four different massage and manual therapies.
This 20-minute focus treatment is the perfect way to start your journey toward holiday bliss. Let's explore what is the Criss-Cross mashup, and what makes the Criss-Cross mashup so effective.
What Is the 4-Therapy Criss-Cross Massage Mashup?
If you have ever had a massage from Nina, you know that she fuses Eastern and Western techniques. The 4-therapy Criss-Cross massage mashup combines four manual therapies to address trigger points and the toughest tight spots.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): Umbrella term for techniques that work on a neuromuscular level to relax muscles. Increased range of motion (movement), muscle relaxation, and unlocking stuck patterns are outcomes. Includes Reciprocal Inhibition, Autogenic Inhibition, and resistive stretches.
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Targets deeper muscle layers to relieve chronic tension and knots. Often combined with PNF, the therapist moves the joints systematically to facilitate release of stuck spots. May include Ocular Facilitation (OF), i.e. eye movements coordinated with assisted stretches that trick the brain and enhance release. Sports massage techniques called Pin & Stretch, and Pin & Stripe, may be incorporated.
Thai Massage: aka Thai Yoga, or Assisted Yoga. Stretches, compressions, and percussion done by the therapist to the client, while the client remains relaxed, allowing for deeper stretches. Thai Massage is more dynamic, multi-planar and multi-muscle than Sports Massage. Applying PNF and MET techniques to Thai asanas can be powerful for releasing stiffness! (This is the "mashup" part.)
Swedish Massage: Used to warm up the soft tissues, relax the mind and body, and flush out tissues after deep tissue techniques. Aka "make nice" strokes to prevent post-session soreness.
The "Criss-Cross" refers to techniques that utilize opposing forces, agonist-antagonist muscle coordination, and resistance. The movements, stretches, and massage pressure will feel like they are opposing each other, going in different directions... and that is the key to their effectiveness.
How to Make the Most of Your Criss-Cross Massage Add-On
To fully benefit from the 20-minute Criss-Cross add-on, consider these tips:
Communicate your needs: Let your therapist know if you have specific areas of tension or discomfort.
Plan accordingly: Give yourself extra time to stay relaxed after your treatment. Ideally, go home and rest. Minimally, don't rush into anything stressful immediately after your session.
Sleep & rest: Get extra sleep the nights before and after your treatment.
Stay hydrated: Drinking water before and after helps flush out toxins released during massage.
Breathe deeply: Focus on slow, deep breaths to enhance relaxation during the treatment.
These simple steps can amplify the positive effects of the massage.
How to Book Your Day 1 Bliss-mas Treatment of the free add-on
To take advantage of this complimentary service, book your massage session early. Spaces may be limited due to high demand during the holiday season. When booking, mention the Criss-Cross promotion to Nina (on the phone, or in the comments box online) to receive the add-on.
